Have you lost a family member because of someone else's negligence? Were you injured in an accident with a negligent driver? If the answer to these questions is "yes", the next step is to contact an experienced Montana wrongful death attorney. This article gives answers to frequently asked questions about wrongful death, from what is it to what justice can be achieved.

What is a Wrongful Death?

A wrongful death is a death that occurs due to the negligence, recklessness, or intentional act of another person. For example, a wrongful death can occur if someone dies in a car crash because they were not wearing their seatbelt at the time of the accident. A wrongful death claim can be brought by a surviving spouse or other family member who suffered economic loss after the death of their loved one

What Damages Can Be Recovered in a Wrongful Death Claim?

In a wrongful death claim, the family of the deceased can recover damages for the following:

Medical Expenses: The medical expenses that were incurred by the decedent before his/her death may be recovered by the family. These include hospital bills, medication costs, and doctor's fees.

Loss of Companionship and Services: The loss of companionship and services is also recoverable. This includes all the duties that an individual would normally perform if he or she was alive. These duties include childcare, household chores, cooking, cleaning, etc.

Loss of Financial Support: In addition to companionship and services, any financial support that was lost because of the decedent's death may also be recovered as damages in a wrongful death claim. This includes wages that would have been earned by the decedent before his/her death and also any benefits such as disability insurance or life insurance proceeds that were lost because of his/her death.

How to File a Wrongful Death Claim?

If you believe that your loved one died due to the negligence or wrongful actions of another person, you may be able to file a wrongful death claim. This type of claim can be complex, so it's important to understand the process and what you'll need to do to give yourself the best chance of success.

To start, you'll need to gather evidence to support your claim. This may include medical records, eyewitness statements, and police reports. Once you have this information, you'll need to file a claim with the appropriate court. The claim will need to include all of the evidence you've gathered, as well as a description of the events that led to your loved one's death.

After the claim is filed, the court will review it and decide whether or not to proceed with a trial. If the court decides to move forward, you'll need to present your case in court. This will involve presenting your evidence and arguing why you believe the other party is responsible for your loved one's death. If the court agrees with you, they will award damages. The amount of damages will vary depending on the circumstances of the case, but it can provide some financial relief during this difficult time.

Conclusion

A wrongful death lawyer can discuss with you your loss and what actions that you can take to ensure that your parents or other loved ones are fairly compensated for their passing through a wrongful death lawsuit. Contacting a Bozeman insurance attorney who understands the Montana legislature can help guide you in deciding whether to file suit.